Apache Basketball Earns Split With Kilgore

By Joe Buie

Tyler Morning Telegraph

TJC's 2-3 zone defense frustrated the Rangers, who made only 19 of 55 (35 percent) field goals and shot 3-for-17 from 3-point range. Kilgore had shot more than 50 percent from the field seven games in a row, but the Rangers trailed from start to finish in losing to the Apaches for the 10th consecutive time.

In the early game, the Lady Rangers ran their series winning streak to three over the Apache Ladies with a 63-60 triumph. Kilgore had dropped 21 of its last 22 against Tyler before turning the tide under fourth-year head coach Roy Thomas, the former TJC men's coach.

Men

Playing its first conference game in a month, the Apaches (10-3, 3-2 Region XIV) ended the contest against Kilgore on a 23-9 outburst. The margin was just eight points before TJC erupted behind freshman post Malcolm Moore, who scored eight of his 14 points during a quick 10-2 run. Moore also contributed eight rebounds in limited time due to foul trouble.

Sophomore guard Labree Sledge led all scorers with 22 points and six 3-pointers for the Apaches. Kyle Ford, a sophomore from Whitehouse, added 11 points and three treys; and sophomore guard Brad Gay had 10 points.

Kilgore (9-5, 2-2), playing without leading scorer Chris Johnson (broken foot), was paced by Jonathan Phelps' 15 points.

Moore, from Iowa City, Iowa, scored the first bucket of the game at the 18:53 mark. Sledge added back-to-back 3-pointers to give TJC an 8-0 lead before the Rangers got on the board at the 16:25 mark.

The Apaches built the first of two 13-point cushions with an 8-0 run, which was highlighted by a Byron Maxson layup off a steal and a Kader Tapsoba dunk to make it 32-19.

The Rangers cut the deficit to eight before Gay's layup and Ford's 3-pointer. Kilgore scored the final bucket of the half as the Apaches led 39-28 at the break.

The Apaches outshot the Rangers, 47 percent to 33 percent, in the first half. TJC was 4-of-10 on 3-pointers compared to Kilgore's 1-of-10.

Women

Tangeka Payne hit a wide-open 3-pointer to give Kilgore a 57-56 lead with 2:30 remaining. The Lady Rangers then turned a TJC turnover into a Danyell Oliver 3-pointer to make it 60-56.

A three-second lane violation wiped out the Apache Ladies' next possession, and Kilgore converted on a putback by Rashida Young, who finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Nakia Ollison knocked down a jumper for TJC at the one-minute mark -- her team-high 16th point, and the Apache Ladies pulled within a bucket with two Katelyn Bernsen free throws with 17.6 seconds left.

TJC then let 12 seconds pass before Latika Smith fouled Payne. Payne missed the front end of the one-and-one, but Young got the rebound and drew a foul with 3.3 on the clock. Young made one of two at the line to make it 63-60, and TJC was unable to attempt a desperation shot at the buzzer.

The Apache Ladies received productive games from Ollison, Britney Joseph (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Smith (14 points, eight rebounds), but ultimately it was long-range shooting that told the tale.

Kilgore went 6 of 12 from 3-point range while TJC was 2 of 12. Sophomore CeMonay Newell, who is capable of 20- and 30-point barrages, missed all six of her 3-point shots and did not score.

Jasmine King, who can be a force inside for TJC, also struggled at 1-for-9. She did have nine rebounds and four assists.

The Apache Ladies looked sharp early and had the biggest first-half lead for either team at 16-10. TJC outrebounded Kilgore by 10 in the first half, but that was negated by the Apache Ladies shooting only 32 percent from the field while committing 12 turnovers. In fact, they managed only two field goals over the final seven minutes of the half although they continually made trips to the free-throw line (9 of 12).

Kilgore led by four at the break, and by as much as 10, but TJC went ahead 56-54 with three minutes to play. The Lady Rangers took the lead for good on a Payne 3-pointer with 2:30 left.

Note: Navarro rallied to beat Trinity Valley, 66-64, in a Region XIV men's game.

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Women

Kilgore 63, Tyler 60

TYLER

-- Britney Joseph, 15; Jamsine King, 4; Nakia Ollison, 16; Katelyn Bernsen, 7; Tajan Snowden, 2; Angie Ramey, 2; CeMonay Newell, 0; Kelly Johnstone, 0; Latika Smith, 14; Elisha Bowen, 0. FG 22-58 FT 14-18.

KILGORE -- Jamie Whitfield, 0; Lily Abreu, 9; Danyell Oliver, 20; Abril Wright, 0; Camille Voitot, 8; Rashida Young, 7; Jah-Leah Ellis, 5; Tangeka Payne, 3; Kiera Scott, 3; Alexis Andrews, 4; Raven Jenkins, 4. FG 24-59 FT 9-20.

THREE-POINT GOALS

-- TJC (2-12): Ollison (2); KC (6-12): Oliver (2), Voitot (2), Payne, Scott.

HALFTIME SCORE

-- Kilgore 31-27.

TURNOVERS

-- TJC: 19; KC: 15.

RECORDS

-- Tyler 13-3 (3-2); Kilgore 9-2 (2-2).

NEXT UP

-- Tyler at Trinity Valley, 6 p.m. Jan. 13; Kilgore at Trinity Valley, 2 p.m. Saturday.

-- -- --

Men

Tyler 76, Kilgore 54

TYLER

-- Kyle Ford, 11; Mitch Marquis, 0; Brad Gay, 10; RJ Samuels, 4; Labree Sledge, 22; Johnathan Edwards, 5; Byron Maxson, 6; Kader Tapsoba, 4; Malcolm Moore, 14. FT 9-12.

KILGORE -- Dane Smith, 10; Gentry Hines, 0; Jonathan Phelps, 15; Milton Chavis, 2; Derian Shaffer, 4; Eric Mayo, 2; Derron Hobbs, 11; Chris Angsomwine, 1; Markus Yarbrough, 9. FT 13-20.

THREE-POINT GOALS

-- TJC (9-21): Ford (3), Sledge (6); KC (3-17): Phelps (2), Hobbs.

HALFTIME SCORE

-- Tyler 39-28.

TURNOVERS

-- TJC: 9; KC: 15.

RECORDS

-- Tyler 10-3 (3-2); Kilgore 9-5 (2-2).

NEXT UP

-- Tyler at Bossier Parish, 4 p.m. Saturday; Kilgore at Trinity Valley, 4 p.m. Saturday.

EST. ATT.

-- 400.

Link to Original Article: http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100107/SPORTS06/1070321